This inspiring river cruise takes you to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. You'll be immersed in the cultures and ancient traditions as you sightsee and spend time with locals in the most fascinating places along the mighty Mekong River.The best way to experience Vietnamese culture is with a tour of its fascinating capital of Hanoi. Go on a cyclo ride through the ancient streets of the Old Quarter and enjoy a water puppet performance. Travel through the peaceful countryside to Ha Long Bay where you'll cruise by its breathtaking limestone islands. In Siem Reap, Cambodia, see the phenomenal Temples of Angkor with an intricacy and architectural grandeur unmatched in the world. Enjoy an inspiring Aspara dance performance before embarking on your river cruise. In the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, tour the National Museum and Royal Palace with its striking Silver Pagoda. On a hilltop at the site of the 8th-century temple of Wat Hanchey, take in the stunning views before walking through the rural village of Angkor Ban to visit with welcoming schoolchildren. Continue your cruise into Vietnam and visit a colorful market, the home of a local family making handcrafted sampans, and a workshop to learn how rice wine and traditional candies are made. In Ho Chi Minh City, see the famous landmarks and try your hand in the kitchen-Vietnamese-style, with a cooking class. On an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, walk through a section of the immense underground tunnel system used during the Vietnam War.Your adventure ends in Bangkok, where you'll visit its most renowned temples, including the Temple of the Reclining Buddha-the oldest and largest of its kind. The perfect way to conclude this unforgettable river cruise vacation!

Included Features:

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi: welcome to VietnamDay 2 Hanoi: visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Temple of Literature; lunch at Koto; take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter; water puppets performanceDay 3 Hanoi-Ha Long Bay: cruise on Ha Long BayDay 4 Ha Long Bay-Ho Chi Minh City: fly to Siem ReapDay 5 Siem Reap: visit Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei; Apsara Dance PerformanceDay 6 Siem Reap: visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm by tuk-tuk; Les Artisans d'AngkorDay 7 Siem Reap (Embarkation): onboard welcome receptionDay 8 Kampong Tralach-Konpong Louang-Phnom Penh: ox cart through the countryside and visit a local farmer's home in Kampong Tralach; visit the silversmith village of Konpong Louang; sightseeing by private cyclo in Phnom Penh including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National MuseumDay 9 Phnom Penh: visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields; afternoon at leisure; show by children from local orphanageDay 10 Wat Hanchey-Angkor Ban: visit Wat Hanchey and partake in a traditional water blessing by local monks; walking tour through Angkor Ban village with school visitDay 11 Vietnam Border Crossing-Chau Doc: visit a local market and the religious sites at Sam Mountain in Chau DocDay 12 Long Khong A-Cu Lao Gieng: walking tour of Long Khong A with cotton-weaving demonstration; visit a sampan-making family and interact with a Catholic priest in Cu Lao GiengDay 13 Ben Tre: visit a local workship to see how rice wine & traditional candy are made and a local gardenDay 14 Ho Chi Minh City (Disembarkation): walking tour of the city's landmarks; visit the famous Rex Hotel for a drink, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking classDay 15 Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels excursionDay 16 Ho Chi Minh City--Bangkok: fly to BangkokDay 17 Bangkok: boat ride on klongs; visit the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha Day 18 Bangkok: day at leisureDay 19 Bangkok: end of vacation

Avalon Siem Reap

The all-suite Avalon Siem Reap, one of our incredible new Suite Ships®, was specifically designed to offer the best river cruise experience on the Mekong River. She is the only ship in the industry cruising from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap* (or vice versa) eliminating hours of motorcoach travel time, which means you enjoy more cruising along the Mekong River!

The ship has been meticulously crafted to offer all the modern features you expect, yet it retains the colonial charm fitting to Vietnam and Cambodia. While the number of guests on the ship may be small, the ship isn't. Built as long and wide as other ships that carry twice as many guests, the public spaces never feel congested. From the air-conditioned Panorama Lounge to the open-air observation lounge, there is plenty of seating and spots to relax. Plus, our lounges are located at the front of the ship, not the back, so no matter where you sit you'll always have a great view.

Our crew embodies the spirit of you first, no matter what. From the reception staff and bartender to wait staff and room attendant, we always deliver exquisite service that's comfortable and friendly, never stuffy! With Avalon, our ship becomes your home away from home.

You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind-offering expansive views and wider perspectives. With river cruising's only Open-Air BalconySM, these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open wider than any other in the industry, blurring the line between outside and in, forming a spacious seating area for six, and creating an open invitation to discover and dream. Even if you're a seasoned traveler, you've never traveled like this.

Whether you'd like a romantic mini-break, an extended exploration, or something in between, with Avalon Waterways, you get to choose the river cruise that reveals the very best of Europe, Asia, South America, or Africa-your way!

The "Just Right" Way to River CruiseWhat defines luxury? Is it the enjoyment of the good things in life, or is it simply having things just the way you prefer them? At Avalon Waterways, we navigate with both elegance and ease to deliver a "just right" experience - one that transports you at just the right pace, with just the right amenities, and just the right views. Along the legendary waterways of Europe, we balance enriching activities, included excursions, mouthwatering cuisine, and unmatched service to offer the perfect degree of relaxed indulgence. We call this the Avalon difference.

Fuel your mind. Feed your soul.Tantalizing flavors to suit your distinct taste. When you travel for fresh perspectives, shouldn't every experience feel the same? We think so. Avalon is committed to delivering local flavor - right down to the table. Using fresh and local ingredients, our chefs introduce you to regional delights as well as comfort you with Western favorites in a variety of tasteful settings. From breezy al fresco lunches at the Sky Bistro to elegant four-course dinners in the glass-walled dining room, you can savor fresh fare and the perspectives you crave day and night.

Cruises to Exotic DestinationsExperience all that Avalon has to offer in exotic locations like Southeast Asia, China, the Galápagos Island, Egypt or the Peruvian Amazon. A journey on one of Asia's great rivers, Yangtze, Mekong, or Irrawaddy, offers a tapestry of fascinating sights, colorful cultures, and ancient traditions. In South America you may embark down one of the world's vastly unexplored regions, the mighty Amazon, or explore the home of some of the world's most fascinating animal life in the Galápagos Island.